A5’s probably a little bit too “imposing” visually.
I suppose that also depends on the space available around them. I had similar thoughts about the S3, especially comparing to what I had before. But one gets quickly used to it.
Your living room, listening room, is really beautiful!
I quite understand why acoustic treatment isn’t an option.
The A5 or S3 (in glossy black, or dark grey) could look nice in that room.
Slightly bigger than the A3, but not too much.
It’s a matter of taste I guess.
3 Likes
Thanks Thomas! A rug would be entirely possible if not for the 14 yr old dog who will pee on it immediately. Because of him, no rug. It’s just not workable with him.
2 Likes
That’s a fabulous listening room and set-up, Bart. 
2 Likes
Finally getting to arrange S3 Mk2 audition, still to confirm timings as its quite a trip but looking forward to see what the Magico Magic is all about.
From the descriptions, they sound like they could be my kind of speaker. My current (bass reflex) speakers are a long way from walls as I prefer to limit as much as possible any room reinforced bass. Happy to sacrifice extension for accuracy and it seems the Magico sealed boxes might provide that.
That said, JBL 4367 are so far a very worthy contender for pure musical pleasure. Chalk and cheese in terms of presentation I suspect…
You certainly won’t be disappointed.
If I may, the way you conduct your listening session has an impact on how you perceive speakers performance.
This is how I did my speaker auditions, and how I test improvements to my system :
Starting at lower volume might be a good idea; our hearing perceives dynamic ranges better at lower volumes.
I then increase volume progressively during the listening session.
As for the music I use to test speakers or boxes, I always start with classical music because it is usually richer in terms of nuances:
- voices
- solo - guitar / luth
- solo - violin
- solo - cello
- solo - piano (always last in instruments)
- String quartets
- Violin Concerto
- Symphonies
Then I go for well recorded folk, jazz and rock.
The idea is to go from delicate to complicated, then to loader music.
It is hard to carefully listen to delicate contraltos or female voices after having listened to something like Massive Attack 
If I had to choose only three tracks to test a pair of speakers:
-
voices (medium driver and tweeter accuracy and speed)
-
piano solo (this is torture for speakers)
-
Symphony (most speakers I auditioned, even expensive ones,don’t reproduce big ensemble correctly. It always ends up as a big mash. One exception : Magico S line and M line)
2 Likes
Thanks for taking the time to capture the pointers Thomas.
I tend to evaluate similar traits but in a more random, less structured way. The rational behind your process make perfect sense and it sounds like a great way to extract the most benefit from the limited time I will have 
Absolutely. I’m still enjoying my Q5s tremendously and have no desire whatsoever to upgrade - even if the upgrade would be affordable 
2 Likes
I decided that while I love the M2’s, I’m keeping my money in the bank for now. We enjoy the A3’s just fine, and I feel better not spending like that at the moment.
2 Likes
Whew!!
1 Like
Bart, S3 mk2 not an option?
I could, especially used they’d be not nearly so much. But having heard both S3Mk2 and M2, I’d rather wait…or stick with the A3’s. The S3mk2 are super nice, but I think I’d always be thinking about the M2’s. And given the speed with which Magico update, and the fact there there is a newer driver already in the A5’s, maybe they’ll update the M2’s and I can pick up the original M2’s cheaper. Or maybe try the A5’s… Too many options really.
Seems like a crap place to keep cash at the moment, although none of my business obs.
$72,000 speakers might be the next worse place to keep it?
2 Likes
Interesting thought process. I aim to audition the S3 soon but would love to listen to whatever else they have available, just because it’s fun to know what else is out there. I have set my financial limits and won’t have any problems knowing there is something better available or that there might be a future upgrade. I’m not sure that’s different to anything else you buy.
Can you try Wilson Benesh ?
Never considered them to be honest. I listened to Arc, Discovery and Curve many years ago after rave reviews and didn’t really enjoy them. I have no idea how the more modern WB sound.
1 Like
So, audition time approaches and it seems I will not be able to audition with Naim; the dealer has suggested Vitus 101.
My concern is that the Vitus is a hefty 300W and will no doubt grab the the S3 by the scruff of the neck but it won’t give me much of an idea of how well my NAP300 will control them.
I am working with the dealer to figure out what amplification we can use but from those with experience, is a NAP300 enough to properly drive S3 ?